Ric Ocasek has passed away at the age of 75, the world of rock’n’roll has paid tribute to The Cars’ leader

Words: Phil Alexander

The tragic passing of Ric Ocasek – the singer, songwriter and producer of U.S. new wave outfit The Cars – has been widely mourned by the rock world.

As well as his work with his own band, Ric’s influence as a producer was also widely acknowledged by those whose careers he helped steer.

Weezer, whose 1994 self-titled, multi-platinum debut album (aka The Blue Album) he helmed, were one of the first acts to pay tribute to Ocasek following the news of his death on September 15 at his home in New York.

In a collective statement issued on Twitter, the four-piece described Ocasek as their “friend and mentor” – acknowledging the band’s longstanding relationship which also included Ocasek’s work on their third LP, Green Album, in 2001.

The weezer family is devastated by the loss of our friend and mentor Ric Ocasek, who passed away Sunday. We will mi… https://t.co/d3LsM1rzqT

Bad Religion guitarist (and Epitaph Records founder) Brett Gurewitz also paid his respects to Ocasek, describing him as “a giant of rock’n’roll” before deferring to The Killers’ Brandon Flowers’ comments on social media to underline the man’s very personal impact on his fans’ lives.

I wanted to say something about what Ric meant to me but Brandon's letter says it better than I ever could. He was… https://t.co/xxVGTQDHGC

Ocasek formed The Cars in Boston in 1976 with bass player and fellow vocalist Benjamin Orr, the pair having played in countless bands from the mid-‘60s onwards.

With guitarist Elliott Easton, drummer David Robinson and Greg Hawkes on keys, the five-piece helped define the sound of the US new wave with their 1978 debut – overseen by Queen producer Roy Thomas Baker – which matched irresistible melodies with heavy pop guitar playing and synthesisers. Their trademarked image – the beyond-punk chic of suits, skinny ties, and, at times, leather – also served to influence a generation of musicians who would liberally borrow their style.

Spearheaded by the singles Just What I Needed, My Best Friend’s Girl and Good Times Roll, the band’s debut sold a million copies in the US alone within the space of six months.

The original band’s career would span another five studio albums as they rose to become an arena rock act in the States, rarely touring outside of the country despite their worldwide popularity.

The release of their most successful album – ‘84’s Heartbeat City (co-produced by the band and Mutt Lange of Def Leppard and AC/DC fame) preceded the staging of Live Aid – the star-studded Ethiopian famine telethon which took place on July 13, 1985. Key to the event’s fund-raising success was the use of the track Drive – written by Ocasek and sung by Orr - which soundtracked a poignant film highlighting the plight of those affected by the humanitarian disaster, and was introduced on the day by David Bowie.

The Cars split in 1988 with Orr passing away from pancreatic cancer two years later. Ocasek would enjoy a solo career releasing a string of albums, including 1997’s Troublizing (co-produced by Billy Corgan) and producing artists including No Doubt, Le Tigre and Hole.

Billy has posted on Instagram about some of his favourite memories of hanging out with Ric, including a heartwarming story about nerding out over the guitar used to record The Cars’ Best Friend’s Girlfriend.

Devastated to hear of the passing on this man, Ric Ocasek. It has brightened my spirit to see how many have posted about Ric, praising his originality, flair, and brilliance. I was blessed to have known him, through friendship and work (his solo album Troubilizing was one I produced). It's hard to share the measure of a man in so few words, because, despite his greatness, Ric was open and down to earth in a way that surprised me. And in that allowed our private conversations to flow and float over 100's of topics (I was mostly interested in what he loved): the Cars, of course, his children and marriage to an eastern siren whom the world (he was aware) didn't think he deserved (he did, and she him), his guitars, Andy Warhol the person and not the myth, Boston (the city), new wave, deco art, NYC living, producing Weezer, being an A + R man, why he got out of the rat race of making hit records, Mutt Lange, grunge, and on and on and on. He's opine easy and I'd listen (for a change). Such pleasurable times I didn't fully appreciate until decades later. Lastly, two things: Ric did me a great honor when he recorded a song I'd written just for him, questioning none of it except it's quirky title (I'd gone quirky as a wry tribute). And a small memory I'll share: we were in Ric's basement, where he had a small, ad hoc studio for writing. And I was asking him a 1000th question on The Cars; in this case, the sound of the keyboard solos. He pointed at a relic. 'Well, that's it' he said. 'THE keyboard', said I? It was, and ironically at that moment Greg Hawkes stopped by and he demonstrated all those great sounds! But then I went for broke. I wanted Ric to show me how to play 'Best Friend's Girlfriend'. He picked up a guitar, played it perfectly (he was an ace guitarist) and handed it over. The sound, I noted, was exact. It was the pink Fender pictured above, and I dutifully played the opening riff as he'd showed. So what was the guitar, I asked? Ric pointed at the flamingo in my hands. My jaw dropped. It was THE guitar! Love you Ric! Gonna miss you forever

In 2011, Ocasek reformed The Cars and recorded a new album, Move Like This, before conducting a brief 12-date US tour.

Seven years later, the band were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame by Brandon Flowers, and - augmented by Weezer bassist Scott Shriner who stepped in for Orr – played a crowd-pleasing four-song set for what would be their final performance.

Ocasek – a flamboyant, yet shy individual who was not prone to verbose pronouncements – reflected that the band’s induction was “king of a big thing for me and the band.”

The outpouring that met Ocasek’s sudden passing has served to confirm his considerable influence, talent and legacy. Kerrang! would like to send our condolences to his family, friends and fellow Cars band mates.